El-Rufai's son among latest lawmakers to defect to NDC and ADC in House of Representatives
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The House of Representatives experienced further defections on Thursday as five lawmakers switched parties, with some joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC and the African Democratic Congress ADC. This follows a recent move by 17 members to the NDC, indicating a growing effort by opposition forces to form a coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress APC in the next election cycle. Among those who defected was Muhammed El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who moved from the APC to the NDC. Joshua Obika, representing Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kuje/Kwali Federal Constituency, also joined the NDC from the APC, marking his third party change in less than two years. Abdulhakeem Kamilu, representing Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency, moved from the ADC to the NDC, citing an internal leadership crisis. Additionally, Suleiman Richifa and Umar Ajilo, both from Kaduna State, left the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for the ADC, attributing their decision to prolonged party crises. Muhammed El-Rufai's defection is seen as a significant political statement amid growing tensions between his father, Nasir El-Rufai, and the President Bola Tinubu administration, especially after the former governor's failed ministerial nomination in 2023.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have lauded the Federal Government's recent passport reforms, particularly the contactless renewal system, for significantly reducing delays and streamlining the passport delivery process. Introduced in November 2024, the new system enables eligible individuals to renew expired or exhausted passports from home, eliminating the need for physical visits to the Nigerian High Commission. Testimonies from various Nigerian community members across the UK, as reported by the Ministry of Interior, highlight a stark contrast to previous experiences marked by frustrating delays, extensive travel, and bureaucratic hurdles. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community figure in Birmingham, noted that while the traditional process took over six months and required travel for biometrics, the contactless method for a family member resulted in passport delivery in less than two weeks. He credited the transformation to the leadership of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Gbenga Ogunderu, based in Coventry, described the initiative as a significant digital shift, allowing applications and doorstep delivery without stress, often within two weeks. Dr. Adekunle Shonola, a senior lecturer at Coventry University and president of Nigerians in Coventry, recalled the previous necessity of traveling from Coventry to London for biometrics, a process that often took over six months. He observed that community members no
At Hallmark Health Service Limited Hallmark HMO鈥檚 Stakeholders Engagement 5.0 in Lagos, participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration, sustainable financing, innovation, and trust among stakeholders to build a resilient healthcare system in Nigeria. Olumide Ajomale, an Organisational Development Consultant and keynote speaker, highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that no healthcare system succeeds in isolation, stressing that sustainability is a collaborative achievement involving hospitals, HMOs, regulators, technology providers, and the government. He noted that Nigeria's healthcare ecosystem faces both opportunities and challenges, including significant healthcare inflation. Ajomale proposed collaboration, strengthened financial capacity, stakeholder trust, regulatory support for a sustainable operating environment, and positive consumer experience as solutions. Adeogun Oladotun, Managing Director of Hallmark HMO, stated that the forum aimed to discuss the future of the healthcare industry, envisioning a future built on collaboration that addresses financing, the health system, the regulatory environment, and wellness. Oladotun urged healthcare providers to adopt technology and become more human-centered, criticizing the dismissal of enrollees without offering solutions. Eddie Efekoha, Chairman of Hallmark Health Services Limited, added that Nigeria鈥檚 evolving healthcare landscape requires collective action to create an accessible, affordable,
Eight people have died in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The incident began when a farmer was reportedly stabbed to death by a Fulani herder while working on his farmland. This led to a reprisal by members of the farming community, who allegedly attacked nearby Fulani settlements, resulting in eight fatalities and increased tension. Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident, stating it occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Security operatives intervened to control the situation, rescuing four injured individuals who were treated and discharged. Usman reported that normalcy has been restored, with security personnel deployed to maintain peace. He urged residents to remain calm and use appropriate channels for grievances instead of resorting to violence.